Yagol 72 Colored Pencils Review: Solid Entry-Level Set for Adult Colorists

Quick Verdict

I picked up the Yagol colored pencils after seeing them recommended repeatedly in adult coloring Facebook groups. Two weeks of daily sessions later, I have a clear picture of what this 72-color set does well and where it falls short. The short version: for the price, these are a capable entry point into adult coloring that punches above its weight on pigment quality and color range. They won't replace a professional studio set, but for hobbyists and beginners they're genuinely enjoyable to work with. I'd give them a 4.2 out of 5 — and that's after putting them through their paces on some fairly demanding intricate designs.

What Is the Yagol 72 Colored Pencils Set?

The Yagol 72 colored pencils is a mid-range art supply set designed specifically for adult coloring enthusiasts. Each pencil is individually numbered and named — a small detail that makes navigating the palette less of a headache when you're hunting for that exact dusty rose or forest green mid-session. The cores are soft and wax-based, with Yagol leaning heavily into the "velvety" descriptor in their marketing.

They come housed in a cylindrical plastic tube with a screw-top cap — more practical than pretty, but it does the job of keeping 72 pencils from scattering across your workspace. The set positions itself as artist-quality without hitting artist-quality pricing, sitting comfortably in the $25–35 range depending on Amazon fluctuations. Each pencil measures standard length, and the hexagonal barrel is comfortable enough for extended sessions without causing hand fatigue.

Key Features

• 72 distinct colors including deep blues, warm earth tones, and a full spectrum of pastels
• Soft wax-based cores that deliver smooth pigment laydown with minimal tooth drag
• Break-resistant formulation holds up under normal coloring pressure and light blending
• Numbered and named pencils for quick color identification and easy palette building
• Non-toxic, odorless materials certified for safety during extended creative sessions
• Versatile surface compatibility — works on paper, cardstock, canvas, wood, and eggshell
• Bonus tutorial on the sleeve cover with a fold-out unicorn illustration to practice techniques

Hands-On Review

I'll be honest — I almost dismissed these at first. The tube case felt plasticky and the pencils looked a little too neatly identical when I lined them up. But by the end of the first coloring session, those surface impressions faded completely.

The pigment quality surprised me. Colors laid down smoothly with good saturation straight out of the box — no dry scratching, no need to build up multiple layers just to get visible coverage. The soft core genuinely feels velvety rather than just soft; there's a difference between "easy to blend" and "mushy," and these land on the right side of that line. After coloring for about three hours on a detailed botanical design, I noticed the cores held up without the frustrating mid-session snapping I'd experienced with cheaper alternatives.

Layering is where these pencils earn their keep. I tested them on a mandala that demanded six to seven color transitions per petal section, building from pale yellow through warm orange to deep rust. The Yagol colored pencils responded nicely to light pressure at the base layers and accepted heavier pressure for depth without pilling or gumming up the paper tooth. Blending with a colorless blender pencil smoothed transitions cleanly, though I did find myself sharpening more frequently than with harder pencils — the soft core simply dulls faster under consistent use.

What surprised me was the color consistency across the set. I'd expected one or two "duds" in a 72-pack at this price point, and while most colors performed solidly, I did notice a couple of greens that looked nearly identical in practice despite different numbers — a minor frustration when you're trying to build nuanced foliage in a nature-themed coloring book. Nothing deal-breaking, but worth mentioning.

By day ten, I'd fully integrated them into my regular rotation alongside a few Prismacolor pencils I already owned. They're not quite at that premium tier, but they held their own in mixed-media pages without feeling like a downgrade. The tube case traveled surprisingly well — I tossed it in my bag for a weekend trip and everything arrived intact.

Who Should Buy It?

• Adult coloring hobbyists who want a generous color range without committing to a $100+ professional set
• Beginners exploring colored pencil art who'll benefit from the numbered palette and included tutorial
• Gift buyers looking for a thoughtful, usable creative present for teens or adults
• Travel-friendly coloring fans who want a protected, portable pencil set for trips or commutes

Skip this set if you're an experienced artist who relies on ultra-premium pigment density and buttery-smooth burnishing — the Yagol colored pencils will leave you wanting. And if you color only occasionally with fewer than a dozen sessions per year, a 36-color set might be a smarter fit for your actual needs.

Alternatives Worth Considering

• Prismacolor Premier 72-Pencil Set — The industry benchmark for soft-core colored pencils. If you want superior pigment concentration, buttery blendability, and a wooden case, the higher price tag is justified — but you're paying 3–4× more.
• Faber-Castell Polychromos 60-Pencil Set — Oil-based cores that resist pilling and layer beautifully on smooth papers. More durable than wax-based options, though slightly harder and requiring more pressure for deep saturation.
• Crayola Colored Pencils 72-Pack — A budget option with decent pigment and kid-friendly durability. They lack the refined softness and artistic versatility of the Yagol set but work fine for casual colorists on a tight budget.

FAQ

Final Verdict

The Yagol 72 colored pencils deliver honest value for what they are: a well-priced, genuinely enjoyable entry into adult coloring that covers enough ground to keep most hobbyists satisfied for months. The pigment quality, color range, and break-resistant formulation all perform as advertised, and the included tutorial is a nice confidence boost for newcomers. Frequent sharpening and a utilitarian case keep them from claiming top marks, but those are forgivable trade-offs at this price point.

If you're ready to move beyond grocery-store colored pencils and want something that actually rewards layering and blending technique, the Yagol colored pencils are a solid choice. They're not trying to be the best — they're trying to be the best value, and on that front, they largely succeed.